Follow the Queen is a wild and wacky variation of the Seven Card Stud that’ll keep you on your toes! This poker variant takes the familiar structure of Stud but throws in a curveball with its wild card rules. Here’s the scoop: Queens are always wild, but the fun doesn’t stop there.
When a Queen pops up face-up, the next card dealt becomes wild too, along with all others of that rank. It’s like a game of hot potato with wild cards!
This home game favorite isn’t found in fancy casinos, but it’s a hit at kitchen tables across the country. Why? Because it’s unpredictable and can turn a dud hand into a powerhouse in the blink of an eye.
While exact stats are hard to come by, many poker enthusiasts agree that Follow the Queen is a top pick for casual games and dealer’s choice nights. So grab your chips, deal those cards, and get ready for a rollercoaster ride of poker fun!
Game Setup and Structure of Follow the Queen Poker
Let’s take a closer look at Follow the Queen poker! This game’s a real hoot, and here’s how it all shakes out:
1. Player Count
You can have up to 8 players at the table, but don’t worry if you can’t rustle up that many folks. The game works just fine with fewer players too. It’s like a party where everyone’s invited, but it’s cool if not everyone shows up.
2. Deck and Dealing
Follow the Queen uses a standard 52-card deck, just like your regular poker game. No jokers needed here!
The dealer starts by giving each player two cards face down (your secret weapons) and one card face up (the “door card”). It’s like a peek-a-boo game, where you get to see a little bit of what everyone’s working with.
As the hand goes on, more cards come out. You’ll end up with seven cards total – four face up and three face down. It’s like building a house of cards, but way more fun!
3. Betting Structure
Now, here’s where things get interesting. Follow the Queen typically uses a fixed limit betting structure. What’s that mean? Well, it’s like having guardrails on your bets.In a fixed limit game, you can only bet or raise in specific amounts.
For example, in a $1/$2 game, you’d bet in $1 increments for the first two rounds, then switch to $2 for the last three. It’s like changing gears in a car – you start slow and then rev up. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Ante: Usually 10-25% of the small bet (like $0.10-$0.25 in a $1/$2 game)
Bring-in: Half the small bet ($0.50 in our example)
First two betting rounds: Small bet ($1)
Last three betting rounds: Big bet ($2)
This structure keeps the game from getting too wild and woolly. It’s perfect for Follow the Queen, where the wild cards can already make things pretty crazy!
Remember, each betting round usually has a cap of three raises. So you can’t just keep raising forever – it’s like a game of chicken, but with a referee.
Wild Card Rules in Follow the Queen
It’s time to experience the wild world of Follow the Queen poker! This game’s got some crazy rules that’ll make your head spin, but don’t worry – we’ll break it down nice and easy.
1. Queens: The Royal Wild Cards
First things first: Queens are always wild. Yep, you heard that right! Any time you get a Queen in your hand, it’s like hitting the jackpot. You can turn that Queen into any card you want. It’s like having a magical shape-shifting card!
2. Trailer Cards: The Wild Card’s Sidekick
Now, here’s where it gets really interesting. When a Queen is dealt face-up, the next card that comes out is called the “trailer”. This trailer becomes wild too! It’s like the Queen brought a friend to the party, and now they’re both wild and crazy.
For example, if a Queen of Hearts is dealt face-up, and the next card is a 7 of Spades, now all Queens and 7s are wild. That’s a whole lot of wild cards!
3. The Wild Card Shuffle
But wait, there’s more! The wild cards can change during the hand. If another Queen pops up face-up, the old trailer card loses its wild status, and the new card after this Queen becomes the new trailer.
It’s like a game of musical chairs, but with wild cards! Let’s say we’re playing, and this happens:
Queen of Hearts comes up, making 7s wild
Later, Queen of Spades appears, and the next card is a 3 of Diamonds
Now, Queens and 3s are wild, but 7s aren’t anymore
Crazy, right? It keeps everyone on their toes!
4. Wild Card Limit
Now, you might be thinking, “Holy moly, that’s a lot of wild cards!” And you’d be right. But there’s a limit. The maximum number of wild cards in a deck is eight. That’s all four Queens plus up to four trailer cards. Here’s a quick breakdown:
4 Queens (always wild)
Up to 4 trailer cards
So, at most, you’ve got 8 wild cards running around in the deck. That’s still enough to make some seriously powerful hands!
Remember, in Follow the Queen, a hand that would normally be awesome in regular poker (like a full house) might not be so hot. With all these wild cards floating around, you might need something really spectacular to win!
Follow the Queen Gameplay Progression
Okay, folks, let’s take a look at how the Follow the Queen game unfolds. It’s like a rollercoaster ride, so buckle up!
1. Ante and Initial Deal
First things first, everyone’s gotta pay to play. That’s the ante, and it’s usually about 10-25% of the small bet. So, in a $1/$2 game, you might toss in a quarter. It’s like buying a ticket to the show! Now, the dealer gets to work. They’ll give each player:
Two cards face down (your secret weapons)
One card face up (the “door card”)
It’s like getting a peek at your hand in a game of peek-a-boo!
2. Betting Rounds
A. Third Street
The action kicks off with the player showing the lowest door card. They’ve gotta make the bring-in bet, which is usually half the small bet. So, in our $1/$2 game, that’s 50 cents. Then, everyone else gets a turn. You can:
Call (match the bet)
Raise (bump it up)
Fold (throw in the towel)
It’s like a game of “follow the leader”, but with chips!
B. Fourth Street
Time for another card! Everyone gets a new face-up card. Now, the player with the best showing hand starts the betting. If you’ve got a pair of Aces showing, you’re sitting pretty!
Betting works the same as before, but now you can check if no one’s bet yet. It’s like saying, “I’m good, but I’m not gonna rock the boat.”
C. Fifth Street
Another card comes out, face up again. But here’s where things get spicy – bets now double! In our $1/$2 game, the minimum bet jumps to $2. It’s like shifting gears in a car – we’re revving up now! Remember, if a Queen pops up, the next card becomes wild. It’s like a game of hot potato, but with wild cards!
D. Sixth Street
One more face-up card for everyone. Betting stays at the higher amount. By now, you’ve got four cards showing and two hidden. It’s like having most of your cards on the table, but still keeping an ace up your sleeve!
E. Seventh Street
The last card coming in hot! But here’s the twist – you get to choose if you want it face up or face down. Most folks take it face down to keep their opponents guessing.
It’s like the final piece of the puzzle, but you get to decide if others see it! One last round of betting, and then…
3. Showdown and Determining the Winner
It’s time for the big reveal! Everyone still in the hand shows their cards. The best five-card poker hand takes home the bacon.
But remember, with all those wild cards floating around, you might need something really special to win. Here’s a quick rundown of hand rankings, from best to worst:
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind
- Full House
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a Kind
- Two Pair
- One Pair
- High Card
But here’s the kicker – with wild cards in play, hands that are usually rare become more common. You might see Five of a Kind or even better! Let’s say you’ve got:
- Queen of Hearts (wild)
- 7 of Spades (wild because a Queen came up earlier)
- Ace of Diamonds
- Ace of Clubs
- Ace of Spades
- King of Hearts
- 2 of Clubs
You could make Five Aces! That’s a monster hand that’d be impossible in regular poker. Remember, in Follow the Queen, the pot can grow big fast.
With all the wild cards and changing dynamics, players often stay in longer, hoping for that magic card. It’s not uncommon to see pots worth 20-30 times the big bet!
Special Rules and Variations
It’s time to take a look at some of the wild and wacky rules that make Follow the Queen a real hoot!
1. Pay Cards for Wild Cards
In some games, you’ve gotta pay to play with those wild cards. If you’re dealt a Queen face-up, you might have to toss in an extra ante.
For example, in a $1/$2 game, you might have to pony up 50 cents for a Queen and 25 cents for a trailer (that’s the wild card that follows the Queen). It’s like paying admission to the wild card party!
2. “No Queen No Game” Rule
Some folks play with a rule that’s crazier than a bag of cats – the “No Queen No Game” rule. If no Queens show up face-up during the whole hand, everybody folds their cards, re-antes, and starts over.
It’s like hitting the reset button on your game console when you’re losing! This rule keeps the game wild and woolly, making sure there’s always some wild card action.
3. Follow the Cowboy Variation
If you think Follow the Queen is wild, wait till you hear about its cousin, Follow the Cowboy! In this version, it’s not the Queens calling the shots – it’s the Kings.
When a King (that’s the cowboy) shows up face-up, the next card becomes wild. It’s like the Wild West, where the King’s in charge and everything’s topsy-turvy!
These special rules and variations keep Follow the Queen fresh and exciting. Whether you’re paying for wild cards, waiting for a Queen to show up, or following the Cowboy, you’re in for a wild ride. So saddle up, partner – it’s time to play some poker!
Strategy Considerations in Follow the Queen
Alright, let’s get down to the Follow the Queen strategy! The game is a wild ride, and you must remain alert at all times.
1. Importance of Adaptability
In Follow the Queen, being able to roll with the punches is key. The wild cards are always changing, so you can’t get too comfy with your hand. It’s like playing musical chairs, but with cards!
Phil Ivey, a poker superstar, is known for his adaptability. He’s won over $30 million in live tournaments by constantly adjusting his game. In Follow the Queen, you’ve gotta channel your inner Ivey and be ready to switch gears at any moment.
Here’s a pro tip: keep an eye on those up cards. They’ll tell you what’s wild and what’s not. If you see a Queen pop up, you know the next card’s gonna be wild too. It’s like getting a sneak peek at the game’s rulebook!
2. Evaluating Hand Strength with Wild Cards
When it comes to sizing up your hand in Follow the Queen, forget everything you know about regular poker. A full house might be awesome in Texas Hold’em, but here?
It might not even get you a pat on the back. With up to eight wild cards in play, you’re gonna see some monster hands. We’re talking five of a kind or even better! It’s like playing poker on steroids. Let’s say you’ve got:
- Queen of Hearts (wild)
- 7 of Spades (wild because a Queen came up earlier)
- Ace of Diamonds
- Ace of Clubs
- Ace of Spades
- King of Hearts
- 2 of Clubs
You could make five Aces! That’s a hand you’d never see in regular poker.
3. Betting Tactics in a Dynamic Environment
When it comes to betting in Follow the Queen, you’ve gotta be as slippery as an eel. The game can change faster than a chameleon in a bag of Skittles! Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Don’t get too attached to your hand. What looks great now might be junk in the next round.
Pay attention to what others are betting. If someone’s betting big after a Queen comes up, they might have snagged that wild card.
Be ready to fold. Sometimes, the smart move is to cut your losses and wait for the next hand.
Remember, in Follow the Queen, the pot can grow faster than a weed in spring. It’s not uncommon to see pots worth 20-30 times the big bet. That’s a lot of cheddar!
Comparison to Standard Poker
Follow the Queen poker turns the world of standard poker upside down! In this wild game, hand rankings go out the window. A full house that’d make you jump for joy in Texas Hold’em might not even get you a high-five here. Why?
Because with up to eight wild cards running around, you’ll see monster hands like five of a kind more often than you’d see a royal flush in Vegas!
The frequency of strong hands skyrockets – it’s like handing out aces like candy on Halloween. This crazy twist means you’ve gotta change how you play.
In regular poker, you might hold onto a pair of jacks like they’re gold. But in Follow the Queen, they might as well be pocket lint! You’ve gotta be ready to fold hands that’d usually be winners and bet big on combos that seem impossible.
It’s like learning to ride a bike all over again, but this time the bike’s on fire, and the ground is made of lava! So buckle up, buttercup – Follow the Queen is a whole new ballgame where the only rule is to expect the unexpected!
Conclusion
Follow the Queen is a real crowd-pleaser for casual poker nights! It’s like a roller coaster ride with cards – you never know what’s coming next.
While luck plays a bigger role than in Texas Hold’em, don’t be fooled – there’s still plenty of skill involved. You’ve gotta read the table, manage your chips, and know when to hold ’em or fold ’em.
In the big world of poker, Follow the Queen sits in a special spot. It’s not as serious as tournament poker, but it’s got more pizzazz than your grandpa’s five-card draw.
So, whether you’re a poker pro or just looking for a fun game night, Follow the Queen might just be your new favorite!
